Headstrong

Chapter 8

Amanda kicked her door in frustration. First Harry wouldn't reply to any of her letters, then Francis wouldn't let her go to the Weasley's, and now she had cut herself when cutting vegetables with their house elf, Carrie.

This summer wasn't going well for her.

She opened Ember's cage and brought her out. Ember sat on her arm, hooting happily. Amanda fed Ember an owl treat and placed her down on the bed.

She sat at her desk and wrote another letter to Fred and George.

Hi Guys,
I am extremely bored, Francis doesn't believe I can do anything by myself. I can't sneak out, as there are so many protection spells around the place I wouldn't be able to step one foot out of my room without him knowing.
What should I do?
Harry isn't replying to any of my letters, and I am really worried about him. Can you ask Ron if Harry is replying to any of his letters?
I really hope to see you guys soon,
Amanda
PS, don't pull any pranks on Percy without me!

She handed the letter to Ember and she put it in her beak. Ember flew out of the window, in the direction of the Burrow.

Still frustrated, but calmer, she walked out of her room and towards the stairs. She loved Francis and Melody, as they took her in and had taken care of her, but sometimes she wondered what had changed.

Francis was always so nasty these days and Melody was extremely distant. She was still nice, but she didn't interact with anyone. Amanda didn't tell her friends that.

Amanda walked into the kitchen and showed the cut to Carrie. Carrie quickly washed it and healed it, and Amanda sighed. Dinner smelled delicious.

At dinner the three wizarding people sat in silence. They always ate in silence. Amanda would eat quickly, then race to her bedroom. She was always restless. She needed something to do.

The only time she was ever let out of the house was to visit the graves of Nancy and Drew. They were the children of Melody and Francis, Drew being older by a few years. They had died several years ago from cancer, both fighting until their last breath.

Amanda missed the children. They were happy. They liked to laugh and have fun. They had been much older than her, teenagers when she had been taken in, but they had adored Amanda. They had helped her through her nightmares, helped her up when she fell down, and had generally provided a comforting presence.

By now Amanda was at her bedroom. She stepped in and found Ember waiting for her at her desk.

She opened the letter Ember had in her beak and read.

Hi Amanda,
We asked Ron and he said that he hadn't had any replies from Harry either. We told him that you haven't had any replies, which is weird, because you are his sister, and the three of us have come up with a solution for that, and your problem.
Ron and we are going to get Dad's flying car and rescue Harry from your relatives. After, we can come get you. Have your stuff ready for tomorrow night. We'll come get you on the way home, hopefully we'll be able to pick you up at like 9-10pm. We'll probably send Hedwig ahead to let you know we're coming.
See you tomorrow then,
Fred and George,
PS, We have already pranked Percy three times, so sorry you missed out.

Amanda stepped back, relieved. She was going to be able to leave!

She quickly and quietly packed her trunk and coaxed Ember back into her cage.

She raced back down the stairs and towards Melody's study. She knocked three times on the door and heard a small, 'Come in.'

She walked inside and asked Melody if she could go to the Burrow if she was picked up. Melody nodded tiredly and Amanda thanked her before running out again and up the stairs.